Measure A, kid vid and community partnerships

Last month I wrote about some of Davis Media Access’ work with a regional collaborative spanning seven community media centers in Northern California. I’ve been helping to write a collaborative grant application between our centers that would have us expanding our reach into underserved areas in our respective communities.

It’s been a wonderful experience to learn about the trials and tribulations of similar organizations in diverse communities.

I’ve also been developing some of the workshops for the national conference of the Alliance for Community Media in Tucson this July. DMA staffer Jeff Shaw will represent our staff at the conference.

Among the many topics planned is a session on the benefit of launching a Low-Power FM station within a public access center, thereby expanding media services for one’s community. DMA pioneered this with the launch of KDRT in September 2004. It’s amazing to me that we’re preparing to celebrate KDRT’s seventh year on the air. Go, 95.7 FM!

These are big-picture projects that help our staff stay energized for the daily work. Here’s a snapshot of current projects playing out at your community media center, many of which involve collaborations:

* With Tuesday’s deadline looming, Davis residents can still turn in their ballots for Measure A, the schools parcel tax. It’s too late to mail them, but voters can drop them off at the Stephens Branch Library, 315 E. 14th St. in Davis until 8 p.m. Tuesday.

DMA is committed to documenting local election issues in a fair and impartial manner. Segments by both the yes and no on Measure A campaigns are available online at http://davismedia.org/content/measure-statements. The statements also are airing on DCTV Channel 15 on the Comcast system and Channel 99 on AT&T’s U-verse system.

* It’s nearly summer and at DMA, that means Kid Vid! Our training is generally geared to individuals aged 14 and older, so Kid Vid camps present a rare summer learning opportunity for younger kids. DMA will offer one Kid Vid camp session this summer, and two sessions of “Animaniacs.”

Kids Video Camp is a one-week session in media production for youths ages 10-13. Participants will learn how to produce a program in DMA’s television studio, including storyboarding, operating cameras and sound equipment, and media literacy training. They also will get an introduction to the radio booth at KDRT 95.7 FM, DMA’s low-power community radio station.

“Animaniacs” participants will learn how to plan and storyboard an animation, record dialogue and effects, and light and create stop-motion animations. Class dates and details are available at http://davismedia.org/content/kids-video-camp.

* DMA is partnering with YoloArts on recording statements by community leaders in Yolo County as part of the county’s booth this year at the California State Fair. We look forward to helping capture some of the flavor of Yolo for this endeavor, and thank YoloArts for reaching out to us.

* On Oct. 1, International House, Davis, will present its first International Festival at the Veterans’ Memorial Center. DMA is partnering with I-House to document some of the speakers and activities of the day. For more information, visit http://internationalhouseofdavis.org.

* Finally, throughout May and June, look for DMA staff and volunteers out at the Wednesday night Davis Farmers Market. We’ll have a table showcasing our current projects, and we’ll be recording brief statements by community members as part of our “What’s Your Story?” campaign. For more information, check out http://davismedia.org.